TRD vs K&N cold air intake

Im looking to buy a cold air intake for my 2017 tacoma. I've looked at the TRD and KN because they seem to be the most popular. I'm leaning more to the TRD just because its a Toyota product but i keep seeing mixed reviews of which one is better.

 

Is there a question here or was this just a statement?

 

why tho

 

yeah what cold air intake should i get?

 

Don't waste your money you already have a Cold Air Intake from the Factory. All you will add is noise, no MPG Gains, no HP Gains. Just noise. noise and more noise

 

if you really have your heart set on spending money on an air box then I would go with Volant

 

If they work on 3rd gens, get a scan gauge, ultragauge, or use torque app and a obd2 dongle.

Watch your STOCK intake air temps.... then see if you are pulling anything besides ambient air at say, 35 to 40mph. Idle temps are worthless.

Unless somehow 3rd gens respond amazing to intakes (independent dyno proof?) you may just be making noise.

 

And as far as "trd is a toyota product".
Pointless, they make contracts. K&n/aem, afe, volant, airraid etc make intakes.

Even then, the "trd" intake for the 2nd gen tacoma was as you say a "toyota product" that k&n made (the one with the plastic housing and PLASTIC LID)and screwed up.
Toyota signed off on it and sold the stupid things despite them causing lean conditions.

 

The stock is actually a CAI. The only difference in the TRD and the stock is Intake Flow Accelerator ($25 from ToyotaPartsDeal.com). The intake is much bigger and not blocked by the mud deflector.
The Intake Flow Accelerator is on the left the stock on is on the right.



Also the TRD air filter is included in the TRD CAI package. Both parts will set you back about $70 to $90 if you buy them separately. Better than the $400 for the TRD rig.

I noticed better acceleration when I installed the Intake Flow Accelerator on my air box. I also have the ECT always on mod. The truck drives like "its suppose to" (IMHO). I saw a 1 MPG increase with both mods. I'd call it a wash on the MPG but I like the responsiveness. I don't have any numbers to back it up. Just the seat of my pants dyno.

Check out my install page.

https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads...-searching-for-the-perfect-beer.511529/page-3

 

i have the TRD and the sound boost is good, helps guide shifting in a MT.

 

I did this with an AFE dry filter. Felt more responsive after I did it. Nothing crazy and not super noticeable.
https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/stock-air-box-mod.439003/

 

Take hood off, lighter truck and more cold air.. it’s a winning combo

 

The TRD styling and red bellows adds 15 HP.

Is that a TRD radiator cap? +10 hp.

 

"Trd"

I betcha aem/k&n made that

 

Your clamps screws are not symmetrical. There is a 7HP loss...I know, I had the same problem.

 

I can't advise you but I can share a personal experience. I put a K&N CAI on a Civic about ten years ago.


6 or 7 years later a weld on one of the mounting tabs broke.


I didn't expect a response but I emailed K&N about it. They replied back with a few questions and shipped a new aluminum intake minus the filter and clamps. I did not have a receipt, I just sent them the above pic.

I was impressed that they stood behind their product the way that they did in this day and age!

 

Everyone always wants to be a smart ass.
His question was simple. Which CAI do TW members think is better.

 

If you must get one....Stay oem get toyotas trd cold air intake as i have seen several tacomas throw a code and have issues using k&n. Keep in mind the new tacomas actually push air out and into the intake manifold because of the atkinson cycle.

Just my 2 cents dont bother with CAI. Stock most likely works better

 

THere is nothing "cold air" about that intake.